We do a lot of blood transfusions, IVIG, iron, solumedrol, magnesium and hydration’s. We give some injections like Prolia and Procrit and others times perform therapeutic phlebotomy.
If you mean what types of medications due to the infusions, read on. It depends on the infusion. For blood products it’s just typically Tylenol and Benadryl but there can be more if the patient has ever had trouble with blood transfusions. We have rescue medications for certain infusions like iron infusions like Tylenol, Benadryl, Solumedrol and Famotidine. Some people have IVIG infusions with no medications while others take premed’s. We give Clonidine for high blood pressure issues as needed as well. Those are the most commonly given medications for infusions that we see.
IVIG, antibiotics, iron, Tysarbi, Orencea, Remicade, Entyvio, Rituxin,
Medications given includes:
Antibiotics
Antiemetic
Antifungal
Antiviral
Blood factors
Corticosteroids
It depends, there are infusions centers that are antibiotic and non-oncologic treatment. There are infusion centers that treat cancer patients and you also have transplant (bone marrow transplant) infusion centers.
If you are looking to care for cancer patients you will be required to be bio therapy certified and eventually OCN certification. Usually the cancer center will set it up after you have reached the required hours. Medical infusion does not need ( I don’t know it is still the case) have any specific certifications. You just have to be able to be good with IV placement, pICC or mediport competent.
It can be very rewarding but also very stressful.
All areas of nursing have their own stresses. It is not a “cushy job” as I have heard over the years. You can have as many as 6 - 15 patients a day. If you have reactions, which happen often in chemotherapy you day can spin out of control very quickly.
Hope this helps.
As Valerie stated as well as Reclast, platelets and chemotherapy.
Chemo, blood products
Depending on the unit my past experiences include chemotherapy and supportive medications,electrolyte repletion blood and blood products, biologics, meds for MS, Cohn’s, asthma etc
A lot of monoclonal antibodies, our infusion center has a hem/Onc element so sometimes chemo. We also do rabies and b12 injections as well as port accesses/flushes. Migraine protocols, abx, fresh frozen plasma, hydration via NS or LR is also common
Abx, IVIG, ScIG, Remicade/Inflectra/Entyvio, Tysabri, Riabni, Orencia, Actemra, iron, NS hydration, Simponi Aria, Ocrevus—We give all these meds plus more in home and clinic.
